05/07/2025
🥛 Zoonotic Diseases Transmitted Through Cow Milk:
World zoonoses Day - July 6
(And How to Prevent Them)
⚠️ Key Zoonotic Diseases Spread via Raw/Unpasteurized Milk:
1. Brucellosis (Brucella abortus)
• Transmission: Drinking raw milk from infected cows
• Human Symptoms: Fever, joint pain, weakness, night sweats
• Prevention: Pasteurize milk, test & cull infected animals.
2. Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis)
• Transmission: Raw milk consumption
• Human Symptoms: Chronic cough, weight loss, fever
• Prevention: Regular testing, pasteurization, isolate sick animals.
3. Salmonellosis (Salmonella spp.)
• Transmission: Contaminated milk or poor hygiene in milking
• Human Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fever
• Prevention: Sanitary milking practices, clean storage, boil milk.
4. Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)
• Transmission: Contaminated raw milk or milk products
• Human Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, miscarriage (in pregnant women)
• Prevention: Proper refrigeration, avoid raw dairy, pasteurize milk.
5. E. coli O157:H7 Infection
• Transmission: F***l contamination of milk.
• Human Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, kidney damage
• Prevention: Milk hygiene, pasteurization, avoid cross-contamination
✅ Prevention Tips for Farmers & Consumers:
• 🥛 Always pasteurize or boil milk before consumption
• 🧼 Maintain hygiene during milking (clean udder, hands, and utensils)
• ❄️ Store milk at safe temperatures (below 4°C)
• 🐄 Test and cull infected animals regularly
• 🚫 Do not mix milk from sick animals with healthy ones
• 👩🌾 Train milk handlers and workers on safe practices
• 📦 Avoid consuming raw milk products (cheese, butter, etc.) from unverified sources.